Boiler-feeder.



No. 7|4, 549. Patented Nov. 25, I902;

, woon. BOILER FEEDER.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 snow-sham INVENTOR m: NORRIS vz rzns 90., mom-uma.WASHINGTON, n. c.

E. J. WOOD.

1 BOILER FEEDER. (Application meg Aug. 2, 1901. (No Model.) I

Pu'enteu Nov. 25,1901.

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- No. 114,549. Patentqd Nov. '25,, I902.-

, E; J 'WOODJ "BOILER FEEDER.

A l'icae'ibn filed Aug. 23901. (Nu ModalJ V 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

V INVENTOI? By m sbm Ram ATTORNEY THE mums rzrgns co. moTo-LrmoWASHINGTON. n. c.

NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

EDGAR JAMES WOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BOILER-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,549, dated November25, 1902. Application filed August 2, 1901. Eerial No. 70,600. (Nomodel.)

To 0M7, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR JAMES W001), a citizen of the United States,residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city and State of NewYOIkyhfiVG invented a certain new and useful Improvement inBoiler-Feeders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention may serve with apparatus of whatever name in variouschemical and other operations where liquid is forced into a spaceagainst pressure and requires to be maintained near a certain level; butit'is intended more especially for feeding water into steam-boilers, andI will describe it as thus applied. The apparatus may serve with steamat any pressure. I will assume it to be about the same as is carried onlocomotives-from a hundred to a hundred and fifty pounds per squareinch. I supply water at, a superior pressure, so that it will, when soconditioned by my device, flow into the boiler under any of thevariations of pressure to which the latter may be subjected in practice.

It is permissible and is common in ordinary practice to have appreciablechanges in the water-level of the boiler. I provide for feedingintermittently for short periods, so that the water-level in the boilerwill alternate betweenthe highest and lowest of two slightly-dividedlevels, and I have devised apparatus which causes the several changes ofcondition to be made with unusual force and certainty.

I provide a chamber connected with the boiler at what is to be thehighest water-level and make the lower part of the chamber extendingconsiderably below such connection, so as to form a bowl or reservoir inwhich the water may be held up after the level in the and when so filledit will sink.

boiler has sunk below the connection, and mount in such chamber anopen-top vessel adapted to float on the water. As this vessel and itsattachments will ordinarily be of metal and tooheavy without assistance,I provide an adjustable spring having a long range of motion whichafiords such support that it can float by such aid. Unlike ordinaryfioating devices, I provide for allowing such vessel to fill wheneverthe water in the boiler accumulates above the proper quantity, I providea pipe extending downward from such vessel, controlled by a valveopening practically downward, and I provide for the discharge of thewater from the open-topped float by flowing through such valve andthence through a liberal passage into the boiler, so that the float issoon partially emptied. The connection between the boiler and thechamber through which the water is received when the water rises andthrough which it is; discharged during the first part of the sinking ofthe water-level is at so high a point that the water is retained in thechamber during the last part of the sinking motion of the water. Thiscondition induces a higher water-lever in the chamber than in the boilerduring the last part of each sinking motion of the water. My deviceactsin the opposite direction to an ordinary float, sinking when thewater is too high and floating when the water is too low. Thisextraordinary condition is attained by virtue of the water beingretained in the chamber higher than the water-level in the boiler. Itcan lift the float when the water Within the oat. sinks with the waterin the boiler. The ise of the float is limited. When the water in theboiler rises sufficiently to flow again thr ugh the main connection fromthe boiler and raises the level in the chamber, either immediately orafter this condition has obtained, for a little period, according as itis adjusted, the waterlevel attains such aheight in the chamber nowconnected with the boiler that it flows inward over the rim of the floatand again loads the float so that it sinks. I can operate with somesuccess by forcing the water directly from a pump, but prefer acapacious vessel,which I will term a closed tank, in-which a supplyof'water and compressed air is stored. This modifies the action inimportant respects, especially in supplying the water at a very uniformpressure, allowing it to be fed for a considerable period before thestarting of the engine, if such shall in any case be required, inworking by the action of the main engine. I will describe the inventionas operated by a steampump,and when so worked that advantage is notmaterial.

In one form of the invention I will show a pump worked by the mainengine, with provisions for automatically stopping it when the pressurein the supply vessel is too high and starting it again when needed.

It will now be understood that a pump however operated maintains thepressure of water in the supply vessel, and consequently in thesupply-pipe, sufficiently above the pressure in the boiler to induce anactive flow into the boiler when the controlling device so directs andthat the controlling device is actuated by my peculiar floating andsinking vessel so that it induces the entrance of water only when thewater-line has sunk a little below the desired level.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention:

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a corresponding plan view. Fig.3 is a vertical section of the regulating valve detached. Fig. 4 is acorresponding section at right angles to that in Fig. 3. Figs. 5 to 8,inclusive, are outline diagrams illustrating the action of my peculiarfloat. All are central vertical sections. Fig. 5 shows the float sunkand remaining down, the water completely covering it, but graduallylessening its depth. Fig. 6 shows it in its sunk position about to rise,the water in its interior having moved by gravity into the boiler. Fig.7 shows it floated and remaining up, the water around. it graduallyrising; and Fig. 8 shows it in its elevated position about to sink, thewater around it being high and rising. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionshowing an important modification in the construction.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures where they appear.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, A indicates an upright boiler; B,afeed-pipe; B, a stop-valve, and B an ordinary check-valve. O is asteam-pump which may be actuated by the engine. In these figures I haveshown it actuated byaseparate steam-cylinder C, supplied with steamthrough a pipe 0 and allowed to exhaust through a pipe C These parts maybe of any ordinary or suitable construction.

D is the delivery-pipe of the pump,branched so that the water can bedelivered either through the feed-pipe B into the boiler or through thecontinuation D of the pipe D to my water-regulating device, which latteris inclosed with liberty to move freely up and down in a casing E E Ethe lower portion E being'a balance puppet-valve casing, E acontinuation upward therefrom, and E a capacious chamber at the top.

M is abalance puppet-valve conditioned to open downward, receiving thewater from the pump in the space between the two disks and to deliversuch water from the space above the upper diskand below the lower disk.These spaces communicate, through a pipe K, withthe interior of thissinking float M by the aid of liberal apertures 'm, but is continuedupward farther to engage with a steadiment E, which projects down fromabove.

H is a helical spring loosely surrounding the tube M and exerting alifting force on the regulating device, its lower end abutting on anadjustable cross-piece H, which is engaged with screw-threads e in theinterior of the casing E. By reaching axially into the passage E thiscross-piece H when the parts are separated can be turned in onedirection or the other to adjust the tension of this spring, so that myregulating device compris ing the balance puppet-valve M and its severalattachments will reliably sink when the sinking float M is filled by therise of the water in the boiler, and consequently in the chamber E andwill reliably rise when the water becomes partially emptied from M F isa pipe which connects a well-finished portion of the interior of theupright casing E with the interior of the boiler. It has a stop-valve Fand a light check-valve F When the sinking float is in its lowestposition, an aperture m in the side of the tube M coincides with thispipe F, and during each such period the water can flow gently downwardfrom the interior of the sinking float and through the orifice m intothe pipe F and passing the light check-valve F can flow into the boiler.I provide for emptying this sinking float M as follows: The water flowsfreely inward through the apertures mand descends through the interiorof the tube M and flows freely through an aperture m and a coincidingpipe F into the boiler A. So long as no feed-water is required to flowinto the boiler my regulating device is held up, the sinking float Mbeing supported by such water in the manner which I describe asfloating. Although being too heavy to float naturally, it is aided bythe carefully-adjusted spring H. Under these conditions the water-levelin the interior of the sinking float M will be a halfinch more or lessbelow that of the surrounding water in the chamber E Figs. 6 and 8; butthe water in the boiler will be prevented by the valve F Figs. 1 and 10,from flowing upward through the interior of M to increase the supplywithin M When this depression of the water-level within my sinking floatM has reached a sufficient degree to overcome the slight resistance, mydevice floats. This induces an immediate and decided change in theconditions. My balance-valve M (see Fig. 3) is tightly closed by theupward moves f raises the level again, as before.

ment, and as the water can no longer pass widly around it lifts thecheck-valve B and flows into the boiler, and the water-level in theboiler commences to rise. Asufficient risingcauses the water to flowoutward through i y the level-pipe G and raise the water in the chamberE and as the sinking float is held firmly against rising higher thewater soon flows over the edge inward and fills it. When this conditionis attained, my device sinks and again opens the balance-valve M. Thischange of condition allows the water from the pump to again pass idlythrough the valve M, and the feeding of the boiler is thus again waterwill continue to be acted on by the pump; but finding my balance-valveopen it flows freely through the by-pass K back into thesuctiou-pipe Oof the pump and passes around again and again, thus causing the pump towork idly.

During a certain period, which may be longer or shorter, according totheconditions, the. evaporation of the watervand the consumption ofsteam from the boiler continuing, the water-line in the boiler sinks.The water-line in the chamber E sinks with it at first by some of theWater in the chamber flowing through the level-pipe G and its branch Ginto the boiler; but after the water-line has sunk below the pipe G thechamber ll. retains all the water then remaining in it. As

. soon as the water-level in the boiler has sunk appreciably below thatin the chamber E a new state of. things obtains. The water commencestoflow inward through the orificesm and to descend through the tube Mand to pass into the boiler through the pipe F, the

valve F, which is a light check-valve, opening readily and allowing suchmotion. In other words, the water impelled by gravity flows down throughthe tube M and laterally through the passage m, which in this position isinking float M of the parts coincides with the horizontal pi pe- F andflows through such pipe and mingles with the water in the boiler. Thewater-level soon sinks below the rim of the open-topped Now a furtherchange is inaugurated. The water -level within the sinking float M sinksbelow such rim, leaving pass again, and compels the water worked by thepump to be forced into the boiler and Now the conditions areiagainbecoming as at first.

The tendency of the rising water in the boiler to return through thepipe F and to flow upward through the pipe M and fill the sinking floatbeing resisted by the light check-valve F, the sinking float remainsfloating until the water-level in the boiler rises sufficiently toinduce a flowing through the branch G and pipe G into the chamber Ewhere it raises the level again. My invention does not require extremelyaccurate adjustment. It is preferable that in the elevated position ofthe sinking float its rim be near,but not above, the interior of thepipe G. Wherever it is, if it shall be something above the level of thepipe G, the rising of the water-level after this pipe G is filled withwater will be hastened by the condensation of the steam in the upperpart of the chamber E and the water is certain to soon flow inward overthe rim into the sinking float and again cause its descent, with therepetition of the several steps.

My invention has the effect to induce the changes with promptness andfirmness, permitting a small amount of fluctuation in the water-level,but forbidding such fluctuation to extend beyond a certain moderatedegree. My regulating device may be made to move so easily that it willrise with a depression of theWater-level in the interior of the sinkingfloat only a fraction of an inch below that of the surrounding water,which latter, it Will be understood, is held up at a stationary level inthe chamber E I esteem such sudden rising and lowering of the sinkingfloat usually desirable, as it insures promptness of action, welldefined thoughvariable periods, and sharp and decisive changes.

Modifications may be made without departing fromthe principle orsacrificing the advantages of the invention. The forks G G at thejunction of the level-pipe G with the boiler may be omitted and thelevel-pipe continued directly into the boiler at the highwater line; butI prefer the forking, as it prevents the possibility of scum or anyfloating objects on the surface of the water in the boiler gettingintothe chamber or in any way encumbering the action. It will be understoodthat in this modification water or air is pumped either constantly or atintervals into the closed tank B through the pipe R to maintain a highpressure therein. When there is no pressure, water may be supplied tothe tank B through an ordinary funnel R controlled by a stop-cock R Whenit is desired to empty the tank, this may be effected by operating astop-cock R atthe bottom.

WVith either or any arrangement I create and maintain air-pressure onthe Water to induce it to move into the boiler controlled by having anaperture m on the receiving side and m** on the delivery side. When thesinking float sinks, it moves the aperture m out of coincidence with theadjacent aperture, through which the water is received from the closedtank S at a higher pressure than the boiler and the feeding stops. Whenthe sinking float rises, it lifts this aperture again into line with thereceiving-aperture, and the water comes in under the strong pressure andflows onward through the feeding-pipe into the boiler. The aperture 971*is high enough to keep the passage constantly open from the interior ofthe short tube M* to the feed-pipe and thence to the boiler, and theemptying of the sinking float is effected through a small puppet-valveX, properly guided and opening downward in this pipe. This valve X islight and is held up by a gentle helical spring Y, so thatit tends tostand closed. The downward I pressure of the Water, due to the smallelevation of the water-level in the sinking float above that in theboiler, will cause it to depress the spring and open downwardsufficiently to deliver the water from the interior of the sinking floatdownward, and thus through the aperture m** and feed-pipe into theboiler. A corresponding spring may be arranged under the lightcheck-valve F in the form first described. That valve has but littleload under any conditions. The design is to make it move into thetight-shut or sufficiently wide-open conditions under very slightforces. 7

Having now fully described the invention and some of the modes in whichI propose to carry it out in practice as applied for feeding boilers andanalogous uses, what I claim is- 1. The sinking float M having an opentop,

in combination with a self-acting valve F arranged to discharge outwardfrom the lower portion of such float, and with a chamber inclosing suchfloat with liberty for the latter to rise and sink therein, adapted tobe connected to a boiler so as to serve substantially as hereinspecified.

2. The sinking float M having an open top in combination with aself-acting valve F arranged to discharge outward from the lower portionof such float, and with a chamber inclosing such float with liberty forthe latter to rise and sink therein adapted to be connected to a boilerand with an easily-operated valve M moved by such float, so arrangedthat the descent of the sinking float arrests and the rising of suchfloat recommences the supply to the boiler, all substantially as hereinspecifled.

3. The sinking float M having an open top, in combination with aself-acting valve F arranged to discharge outward from the lower portionof such float and with a chamber inclosing such float with liberty forthe latter to rise and sink therein adapted to be connected to a boilerand with an easily-operated valve M moved by such float arranged tocontrol a by-pass so that the water may be allowed to return idly to theforcing means when the boiler is sufficiently fed, all substantially asherein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth .I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR JAMES WOOD.

Witnesses:

M. F. BOYLE, J. B. OLAUTICE.

